CPFM Work Control workcontrolcenter@uoregon.edu 541-346-2319

PORTABLE SPACE HEATERSThe University strives to maintain comfortable temperature conditions in all campus owned and leased buildings. Individuals have different preferences in optimal working temperatures and may feel the need to adjust the temperature range in their respective work ares. In these instances, employee should follow the protocol described below before taking any action to install portable heating devices. Space heater use comes with some risks.

POTENTIAL RISKS:• According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission,

approximately 1,400 residential fires occur annually from portablespace heaters.

• Space heaters require a lot of energy to operate making it easy tooverload electric circuits; particularly in our historic buildings.

• Overloaded circuits present a fire risk and a risk of injury toemployees resetting tripped breakers.

• Multiple office spaces can be fed by the same circuit which means atripped breaker can result in power loss and lost work in multiplespaces.

• Using personal heaters can maks underlying inefficiencies in abuildings system and even disrupt and entire office's heating orcooling if the personal heater is close to a sensor that controls severalspaces.

WHAT TO DO!• Dress in layers to adjust to the temperature ranges that are present

throughout the day; particularly in the Fall and Spring. If feasible, usea standing desk and move around regularly.

• If you are still too cold in your office, call Work Control at 6-2319 torequest a temperature check.

• Work Control will issue a work order for the Building AutomatedSystems (BAS) team to evaluate the space, verify everything isworking and make alterations where appropriate.

• If a space cannot be heated within a standard temperature range bythe building system, the use of a personal space heater may beapproved.

• DO NOT purchase or bring any space heaters from home. Where heatis necessary, space heaters will be provided through the electric shop.

PORTABLE SPACE HEATERS

Keep flammables at least 3 feet from all sides of the space heater.

The Electric Shop will provide approved heaters when necessary.

SPACE HEATER USE:• Keep flammable materials at least 3 feet from all sides of the space heater.• Place the heater on a stable, level surface where it cannot be knocked over.• Plug the heater directly into an outlet. Do not use a power strip or extension cord.• Ensure that the heater is turned off every time you leave the space.• If you notice that the spacer heater's cord, plug or outlet is hot, shut it off immediately and contact Work

Control to have an electrician investigate.• NEVER reset a tripped breaker. Call Work Control 6-2319 for an electrician.

Environmental Health and Safety ehsinfo@uoregon.edu541-346-3192

Safety and Risk Services 1260 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403 safety.uoregon.edu/safetysheets *Does not act in place of official training. Contact EHS. Updated: 09/19